Biological Attributes Query Walkthrough

Note: For in-depth, non-pictorial instructions on keying plants within the TDC, please see: Understanding the Keying Process

Step 1: To run a biological attribute query, scroll down to the 'Biological Attribute Query' section of the query panel.

Step 2: Left-click on every category and subcategory to select within the characters and character states that best reflect the condition of your unknown plant. Once you select a particular character or characteristic, it will appear within the 'Selected Characters' box. Click 'Run query' after selection is made.

Step 3: Continue selecting attributes for which you are certain, noting that each query further refines the number of families, genera, and species that remain.

Step 4: Continue selecting attributes for which you are certain, noting that each query further refines the number of families, genera, and species that remain. You can query as many or as few attributes as you like, but remember to 'Run Query' after every selection or the selection will not be reflected in your query result.

Step 5: In this example, querying on the characters of 'Gymnosperm', 'U.S. rare plant', and 'Reported as a state tree', Seqoiadendron giganteum is the only taxa that fits the query. You may stop querying at any point and select any taxon appearing in any nomenclature list. To return to your query after selecting a taxon, simply select 'Bio. Attributes' from the blue bar at the top of the screen.